Apple has announced that it will be removing Meta-owned apps WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China. This decision comes after the state government in China cited national security concerns and ordered the removal of these apps.
While WhatsApp and Threads will no longer be available in China, other Meta apps like Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram are still accessible. Additionally, popular US social media apps such as YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) can still be downloaded.
Apple explained that the Cyberspace Administration of China mandated the removal of these apps from the China storefront. The company emphasized that it is committed to complying with the laws of the countries in which it operates, even if there are disagreements.
Meta declined to comment on the situation and referred inquiries to Apple. The Cyberspace Administration did not respond to requests for comments.
Although WhatsApp and Threads are no longer available on the Chinese App Store, they can still be downloaded through other storefronts. Some individuals with accounts outside of China can still access and download these apps.
Experts in China’s tech industry speculate that the decision to remove WhatsApp and Threads may be related to a 2023 rule requiring all apps available in China to register with the government. Companies had until the end of last month to complete these registrations before the regulations took effect on 1 April.
Apple has previously removed apps from its store in China, such as The New York Times app in 2017 and ChatGPT-like apps in 2023 following Beijing’s regulations on generative AI services.